repulsive
adjective
re·pul·sive
ri-ˈpəl-siv 
1
: serving or able to repulse
repulsive force
2
: tending to repel or reject : cold, forbidding
3
: arousing aversion or disgust
repulsive crimes
repulsively
adverb
repulsiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of repulsive in a Sentence
Magnets have a repulsive effect on each other.
a repulsive display of shameless flattery that made the embarrassed actor wrinkle his nose in disgust
Recent Examples on the Web
The scent, which at first was sort of fine, very quickly became genuinely repulsive.
—
Daisy Jones, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
The 2024 remake reminds viewers that centuries-old vampire lore can be just as frightening as the imaginations of the present day, by highlighting the repulsive yet seductive dynamic between predator and prey.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 23 Dec. 2024
Today, Nosferatu is viewed as a foundational pillar of the horror genre, with the Count’s distinct design offering a template for the repulsive, non-seductive breed of vampire.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Deuterium and tritium, isotopes of hydrogen with, respectively, one and two neutrons in their nuclei, are the preferred fuels for fusion because their nuclei can overcome the repulsive forces more easily than those of heavier atoms.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for repulsive 
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Daisy Jones, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
The 2024 remake reminds viewers that centuries-old vampire lore can be just as frightening as the imaginations of the present day, by highlighting the repulsive yet seductive dynamic between predator and prey.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 23 Dec. 2024
Today, Nosferatu is viewed as a foundational pillar of the horror genre, with the Count’s distinct design offering a template for the repulsive, non-seductive breed of vampire.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Deuterium and tritium, isotopes of hydrogen with, respectively, one and two neutrons in their nuclei, are the preferred fuels for fusion because their nuclei can overcome the repulsive forces more easily than those of heavier atoms.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for repulsive
Dictionary Entries Near repulsive
Cite this Entry
“Repulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repulsive. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
repulsive
adjective
re·pul·sive
ri-ˈpəl-siv
: causing disgust
repulsively
adverb
repulsiveness
noun
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